Smallmouth fishing

[Murv]

I've just about got things lined out on where to come to catch my first Smallie, now if you guys don't mind to help me again, when will they start biting on the

Castor River?,,,where a rookie like me, can maybe catch some with out struggling too hard?

[jdmidwest]

They bite all year long in the Castor River.  Head upstream to the headwaters above HWY 72, water warms up quick there and its easy wading.

[Al Agnew]

You never know til you try.  But here's what I'd suggest:  Go to the Jacks Fork homepage on this website.  Click on levels.  Click on Jacks Fork near Mountain View.  Make sure to check water temperature on the "available parameters" list.  It will give you a graph showing water temps.  When the water temps are staying consistently at 60 degrees or above (right now it's still dipping down into the mid-50s at night), it's time to go.  Of course, the upper Jacks Fork isn't the Castor, but water temps should be similar on both, and the Jacks Fork gauge is a convenient one to go to since the only gauges on the Castor are far down the river and don't show water temps anyway.  Get yourself a DeLorme Atlas for Missouri if you don't already have one.  Go to Amidon Conservation area, off Highway J and W east of Fredericktown (it's shown on the DeLorme Atlas).  Spend a couple hours trying there. Then go to the ford on County Road 208 just downstream from Amidon. Try there for an hour or so.  If unsuccessful, get back to Hwy. 72, take Hwy. F south off 72, then Hwy. V to the river.  If there is still a spot to park there and it isn't posted against trespass (I haven't been there in a while), fish below the bridge, wading as far as you feel like.  If still unsuccessful and you still have time, go back to Hwy. F and take it down to Marquand.  You can access the river at the Hwy. A bridge at Marquand, the Hwy. DD bridge a couple miles farther south (although I haven't been there in a long time and I'm not sure about access) or at the MDC Marquand Access off Hwy. DD a bit farther south.  Fish whichever place looks good...though the MDC Access is probably your safest bet.  If you don't catch a smallmouth after that...take up golf

[Guest]

Deleted.

[Al Agnew]

Thanks, V used to be a great access, but now I do remember I heard the landowner there was a pinhead.

[Murv]

I'm so sorry, that I keep grilling everybody about this, but I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck, as I don't know how many trips I'll be able to make.

So, I'm trying to make trip #1 as successful as possible.

Thank you Al, for all that you have given me thus far, and hopefully maybe I'll get a chance to meet you guys, and chew the fat a bit.

Lookin for a decent set of chest waders, to wear.,,will prob. bring my canoe when I come. so I can paddle some if need be.

 

[Murv]

so the places you guys are mentioning, can you just pull off the side of the road and go fishing or what do I have to do?, Sure don't want to make anybody mad at me...

I've been looking and following the river on google earth

 

[moguy1973]

Just watch for purple paint.  That means no trespassing.  If you are in the conservation area you won't have any troubles, but outside of there make sure you aren't on private property.  As long as you stay between the banks of the river you should be good.

[jdmidwest]

V is closed, no access to river. DD has campgrounds on north and south side of bridge, private now. Stay up near Amidon on Conservation land and you will be safe.